§ 24. Mr. HOHLERasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Local Government Board what progress has been made in the administration of the Naval and Military Pensions Act, 1915; whether any and, if so, what part of the £1,000,000 promised by the Chancellor of the Exchequer has yet been placed at the disposal of the Statutory Committee; whether any pensions have yet been granted by them; and will he state fully the present position?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOARD (Mr. Hayes Fisher)The whole of the million promised by the Chancellor of the Exchequer has been placed at the disposal of the Statutory Committee. Regulations have been issued by the Committee with regard to recoverable advances, supplementary separation allowances and emergency grants, and upwards of £100,000 has been advanced by the Committee on requisitions from the local committees to enable supplementary separation allowances and emergency grants to be made, and also advances to disabled sailors and soldiers. The Regulations as to supplementary pensions have not been finally settled, but they are in an advanced state of preparation, and will, I hope, shortly be issued. Meanwhile the Pensions Sub-Committee of the Statutory Committee have been provided with funds, some emergency grants in pension cases have been awarded, and other like grants have been made through the voluntary societies. I hope to be in a position soon to make a more ample statement.
§ Mr. HOGGECan my right hon. Friend say how much of the £1,000,000 has been spent or ear-marked, and how soon he will require to come for a further sum?
§ Mr. HAYES FISHERAt present we have advanced £100,000 on requisitions made by the local committees. How much these local committees have spent of that £100,000 up to the present moment I cannot say, but the total amount that they will require in the year, if their expenditure is at all on the lines of the expenditure for the last year of war, will be something between £1,000,000 and £1,200,000.
§ 91. Sir F. LOWEasked the Financial Secretary to the War Office to what person or persons separation allowances in respect of children of soldiers are payable when the mother is, by reason of her being in prison or other circumstances, unable to be entrusted with the care of these children?
§ The FINANCIAL SECRETARY to the WAR OFFICE (Mr. Forster)When a soldier's wife is in prison, separation allowance in respect of the children is paid to the relative or other person nominated by the soldier as guardian. If the soldier is serving abroad or is otherwise unable to find a guardian the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children or the Soldiers' and Sailors' Families Association usually accept responsibility for the guardianship of the children and receive the separation allowance.
§ Sir F. LOWEDo I understand that there is no delay in paying over the allowances, and that they are paid over at once directly the woman is unable to look after the child?
§ Mr. FORSTERDirectly the question of guardianship is settled payment is made at once.
§ Sir F. LOWEDoes that take long?
§ Mr. FORSTERNo.